Nose mask

ABSTRACT

A nose mask including mask portions that can be inserted from nares into a nasal vestibule to fix the mask portions to a nasal cavity of a user. Each of the mask portions includes a cellulose sponge and a pair of perforated silicon rubber members arranged on opposite sides of the cellulose sponge. The mask portions are secured on ends of an axle by a cap and stopper by sandwiching the mask portions between the cap and stopper.

This is a Continuation-in-Part (CIP) application of Ser. No. 10/514,431, filed Nov. 16, 2004, which is the National Stage of International Application No. PCT/JP03/06307, filed May 21, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

A nose mask according to this invention relates to a nose mask whose user inserts a mask portion of an arrangement axle from nares into a nasal vestibule (vestibulum nasi), so that a nasal septum is sandwiched by the arrangement axle, whereby the mask portion is fitted in a nasal cavity. The invention is for providing a nose mask, applicable for various purposes including a filtering mask preventing the user from inhaling pollen, dust etc., a mask for a treatment tool by absorbing and evaporating a nose drug impregnated in a hygroscopic mask portion, and a nose stopper for swimming performance.

2. Description of Related Art

In conjunction with a mask fitted in the nares when it is in use, Japanese Patent Laid-open Nos. 8-71170, 9-294819, and 11-137702 are issued. Each of the masks published in these official gazettes is for inserting a filter into an entrance of nares or for covering the nares with the filter. These filters are filtering materials for passing through and purifying the air. As an arrangement tool for inserting the filter into the nares is engaged in the entrance of the nares or a head of the nose in each of the conventional nose masks, and the nose swells due to the filter being inserted into the nares. As the head of the nose is covered by an arrangement portion for arranging the filter to cover the nares, an appearance of the nose is further spoiled from an aesthetic point of view.

However, such a prior-art nose mask is originally for not only absorbing the polluted air, but also filtering the polluted air. The nose mask can be used in such a multi-functional way as a nose treatment tool for pollinosis etc. or as a nose stopper for the swimming performance. Floating dust in the air has various kinds of pollen, polluted dust, malodor etc. The prior-art nose mask is engaged in the nares for preventing the user from inhaling dust, and the mask portion must be fixed in the arrangement tool. To achieve this, the nose mask has been limited to only one kind. As a result, the prior-art nose mask cannot select the multi-functional nose mask respectively corresponding to floating dust, medical treatment, and swimming. Furthermore, there was a disadvantage on the mask fitted in a position near the outside of holes of the nose, which is that the mask is easily released and even if the mask fits the nose, the mask spoils the appearance of the face as respective holes of the nose are widened.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is proposed as a new nose mask in which several kinds of mask portions, each of which has a distinctive function, are selectively fitted on tips of an arrangement axle.

The nose mask, is engaged within the nares without spoiling the appearance of the nose even if the masks are engaged with a nasal cavity. The masks are separately manufactured in terms of their functions, such as a function to treat the nose by preventing the user from inhaling pollen, malodor, dust etc. or a function to prevent an invasion of water through swimming performance. This invention intends to provide a nose mask wearable in the nares by means of selecting either a mask portion or a mask stopper.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a nose mask of the present invention comprises an arrangement axle and a mask portion coupled with a tip of the arrangement axle. The mask portion with a distinctive function is arranged on the arrangement axle, and the arrangement axle is inserted from the nares into a nasal vestibule, so that a nasal septum is sandwiched by the arrangement axle in front of a nasal cavity. The tip of the arrangement axle is coupled with the mask portion by means of a cap and a stopper. The mask portion comprises a material selected from the group comprising a fiber with air permeability and hygroscopicity, and a rubber without liquid permeability.

Some of the materials have a minute mesh capable of filtrating the polluted air for impregnating infiltrative liquid. The materials of the mask portion include fiber, which is used for a medical treatment as preventing from inhaling the polluted air without spoiling the appearance of the nose, and a rubber having no water permeability for swimming.

The tip of the arrangement axle wearable in the nose by being inserted from the nares is provided with the arrangement portion consisting of the cap and the stopper, so that a cellulose sponge and filters can be alternately arranged. The cellulose sponge has a flat surface with a hole for engaging, a tip of the cap being inserted in the hole. Then, the filters also has a hole for engaging, the tip of the cap being inserted in the hole. The cellulose sponge and the filters can be alternately arranged and fixed by means of the stopper on the tip of the cap; the cap is arranged on the tip of the arrangement axle.

The arrangement axle is made of either synthetic resin or vegetable resin with a moderate elasticity. The mask portion fitted on the tip of the arrangement axle is made of a material with air permeability and hygroscopicity such as fiber and sponge. The material is sometimes made of either a soft synthetic resin or rubber, which can prevent from an invasion of water. The function of the mask portion is different according to its material, and the kind of the mask is increased according to its aim. The mask portion fundamentally has a structure in which a cellulose sponge and filter layers comprising a minute mesh are alternately arranged and fitted by the cap and the stopper. Instead of the above-identified mask portion, the stopper made of silicone rubber may be used.

According to an aspect of this invention, there is provided with a nose mask characterized in that the arrangement axle is inserted from the nares into the nasal vestibule and that a plurality of mask portions are fitted on the tips of the arrangement axle which is to fit the mask portions to the nasal cavity. The mask portion has the sponge and the filter layers both fitted on the tip of the arrangement axle by the cap and the stopper, so as to be applicable for filtering polluted materials such as pollen, dust, malodor in the air and for treating a nose etc. Instead of said mask portion, a rubber stopper portion can be fixed on the tip of the arrangement axle selectively coupled with the cap and the stopper.

According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided with a structure in which a cellulose sponge and filters are alternately arranged on the mask portion and the mask portion is fitted on the tip of the arrangement axle. In this case, the cellulose sponge and the filter are alternately inserted in an axle with an axle hole in the center of the cap, with the stopper inserted into said axle. As the axle tip and the stopper are coupled and formed in the claw-shaped configuration, the cellulose sponge and the filter are fixed onto the axle of the cap. This invention is characterized in that as the tip of the arrangement axle is formed in the claw-shaped, the tip is coupled with a coupling portion fitted on the cap and the mask portion is fitted onto the arrangement axle. There is thus an advantage in preventing the mask portion of the engagement axle from being released because of the claw-shaped configuration.

According to still another aspect of this invention, the stopper is inserted into said axle and the axle tip and the stopper are coupled and formed in the claw-shaped configuration, thereby the cellulose sponge and the filter are fixed to the axle of the cap. The present invention is characterized in that the tip of the arrangement axle is formed in the claw-shaped, the tip is coupled with the coupling portion fitted on the cap and the mask portion is fitted onto the arrangement axle. There is thus an advantage in preventing the mask portion of the engagement axle from being released because of the claw-shaped configuration.

According to yet another aspect of this invention, the mask portion is fitted on the tip of the arrangement axle, which is inserted from the nares to a nasal septum and fitted on the very inner part of a nasal cavity, where one mask portion selected from several mask portions can be fitted. For example, a nose stopper can be fitted on the tip of the arrangement axle instead of a nose mask. There are other masks which can be selectively used including; a nose mask for filtrating polluted substances such as pollen, dust, malodor etc. floating in the air; a nose mask for treating a nose; a nose stopper for the swimming performance; and a nose stopper made of silicone rubber.

According to further aspect of this invention, a nose stopper is provided on the tip of said arrangement axle. The feature is that the arrangement axle is inserted from the nares into the nasal vestibule so that the nasal septum is sandwiched by the arrangement axle, whereby it prevents from causing stimulus by the invasion of water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear view of a nose mask according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the nose mask according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken through part of the nose mask according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of a nose mask according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the nose mask according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the nose mask according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a nose mask according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the nose mask shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the nose mask shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a view showing the nose mask of FIG. 7 in a condition of use, the view being taken from a side of a user's face.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A first embodiment of the present invention is a configuration in which: as shown in FIG. 1, a first arrangement portion of the cap 4 is fixed to a tip of an axle 2. Each of the caps 4 is engaged with a stopper 3, and a cellulose sponge 5, having air permeability and hygroscopicity, is disposed between perforated silicon rubber members. Each of the perforated silicon rubber members are arranged on both sides of the cellulose sponge 5 and are fixed to the axle 2 of the mask portion by the cap 4 and the stopper 3. Since the mask portion is fixed to the axle 2 by the cap 4 and the stopper 3, there is a technical effect that the mask portion is not easily be removed by a force working in a direction of the axle. See FIGS. 1 to 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the silicon rubber members are dome-shaped and are nested with the cellulose sponge interposed between the two nested members.

A second embodiment of the present invention is an arrangement that includes a filter 6 particularly suitable for filtering dust from the air. This arrangement includes a spacer made of silicon rubber having mesh holes. The filters 6 are fixed to the axle 2 of the mask portion by the cap 4 and the stopper 3. Additional views of the nose mask, shown in FIG. 4, include a sectional view of the nose mask in FIG. 5 and a side view of the nose mask in FIG. 6.

The first and second embodiments of the present invention are novel in the particular structure and provide an excellent dust-filtrating effect.

The technical idea of the present invention is embodied in the embodiment described below.

Referring to FIG. 7, a nose mask is shown in which each mask portion is fixed on an arrangement portion of each tip of an arrangement axle (2). An axle (4 c) is provided on a cap (4) with an axle hole in the center of the cap (4), and a claw (4 b), provided on a tip of the axle, is engaged with a claw (3 b) provided on a stopper (3). A claw (4 a), provided on a center part of the cap, is engaged with a claw (2 a) of the tip of the arrangement axle (2), and the mask portion, comprising a cellulose sponge (5) and filters (6), is fitted on the arrangement portion of the arrangement axle (2). As the cap (4) is engaged with the stopper (3) by their claws as well as the cap (4) and the arrangement axle (2), the cellulose sponge (5) and the filters (6) are configured so as not to be released from the arrangement axle (2), which has the mask portions.

Braces (7) are formed on the arrangement axle (2). As shown in FIG. 4, the arrangement axle sandwiches a nasal septum (9) as the mask portions are fitted in a nasal vestibule (10). The arrangement axle, when inserted into the nasal vestibule, sandwiches the nasal septum (9) between the braces (7) without spoiling the appearance of the nares, so that the mask portions are stabilized and the nose mask is not released and dropped due to internal pressure caused, for example, by sneezing. For the purpose of preventing an internal surface of a nasal cavity (11) from being subjected to excessive stimulus, the materials of the cellulose sponge and the filters have flexibility. The arrangement axle is made of synthetic resin or vegetable resin having elasticity, and is provided with the braces (7), which are inserted from the nares to sandwich the nasal septum by using their shape to prevent the nose mask from being easily dropped.

The mask portions, which are to be fitted on the tips of the arrangement axle, are not positioned in the very inner part of the nasal cavity. A nose stopper for the swimming performance, filter layers for filtering and purifying the air polluted by dust, pollen etc., and a cellulose sponge capable of being infiltrated with a drug for medical treatment are produced, and at least any two of the three can be fitted on the arrangement axle (2) by engaging the cap (4) with the stopper (3).

Preferably, the mask portions have, as well as the cellulose sponge does, air permeability and hygroscopicity so as not to over-stimulate an internal mucous membrane, and flexibility to properly fit the internal shape of the nasal cavity. An elastic body for the nose stopper to be fitted on the arrangement axle is represented by a rubber plate, which prevents infiltration of water for enhancing a user's swimming performance. A rubber plate made of silicone rubber is preferable. For filtering polluted air, including malodor such as pollen, dust, smoke, and other rotten smells, and poisonous materials such as nitrogen oxide and dioxin, the filters preferably have a minute mesh capable of purifying the air, and is made of a minute fiber represented by paper, cotton, synthetic resin and vegetable resin, and capable of filtering the above-mentioned polluted air. Furthermore, there is a cellulose sponge, which has hygroscopicity and liquid permeability for absorbing and impregnating drugs with an elastic body when the drug is dropped. Any of the above-described features is necessarily fitted on the arrangement axle.

The arrangement axle (2) is to be inserted not more than 15 mm from a nare (8) to sandwich and be fixed to the nasal septum. Therefore, it is important to keep the length of the arrangement axle less than 15 mm to avoid stimulating the nasal cavity (11). This prevents the mask portions from being inserted in the very inner part of the nasal cavity. It is preferable that the mask portions are flexible elastic bodies hygroscopic for not stimulating the internal mucous membrane of a nose, and capable of staying moist with drugs and being air permeable. Instead of the mask portions, a rubber plate made of a material with no liquid permeability can be fitted on the tip of the arrangement axle (2) by the cap and the stopper.

The mask portion is sometimes used as a treatment tool by which a liquid drug can be applied on the mask portions. The mash portion is fitted on a user's nose, and the impregnated liquid (drug) is evaporated into the nasal cavity by body temperature and breath of the user.

The elastic body of the mask portion is used as a filter for filtering polluted air, while in another embodiment, the elastic body is used for medical treatment. An elastic body, which is not liquid permeable, can be fitted on the arrangement axle in accordance with its function to prevent water from entering the nasal cavity.

An embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

The embodiment represents an example of the present invention on the premise of enabling the user to selectively fit plural mask portions having distinctive functions on the arrangement axle, and also to carry the nose mask with them.

As a preferred embodiment, the nose mask of the present invention is characterized in that tips of a 15 mm arrangement axle are inserted in the nares (8) so as to sandwich a nasal septum (9) by the use of braces (7), and that the arrangement axle is carefully inserted in a nasal vestibule (10) so that the mask portions fitted on the tips of the arrangement axle are not inserted into the inner part of a nasal cavity.

A claw (2 a) is provided on the tip of the arrangement axle (2), and the tip of the arrangement axle (2) is inserted into an axle hole provided in the center of a cap (4). The claw (2 a) is coupled with a claw (4 a) and is formed in the claw-shape for securing the coupling. A claw (4 b) is provided on a tip of a lower part of the cap (4) and coupled with a claw (3 b) of a stopper (3) so as to fix the mask portion on the tip of the arrangement axle (2). A cellulose sponge (5) and filters (6) are alternately provided in the mask portion arranged in accordance with a combination of several functions.

In a case where a nose mask is used as a nose stopper for swimming purposes, a rubber plate with no liquid permeability, such as flexible rubber, is fitted on the tip of the arrangement axle (2) by means of the cap (4) and the stopper (3). In a case where the nose mask is used as a filtering mask for polluted air, it is preferable that filter layers and a cellulose sponge which are made of a minute mesh with air permeability and hygroscopicity are alternately arranged to filter and purify the polluted air inhaled through the nares. Furthermore, in a case where the nose mask is used for medical treatment, a mask portion, which is made of fiber and has good liquid drug permeability, is fitted on the tip of the arrangement axle (2). This nose mask for the medical treatment is characterized in that when liquid drug is applied on the mask portion, the drug is filtrated and impregnated.

The above-mentioned arrangement axle (2) is inserted from the nares, kept in position by the braces (7), and thereby is kept substantially invisible from outside. Therefore, people around the nose-mask user will not notice the use of the nose mask. The arrangement axle (2), which is made of either flexible synthetic resin or vegetable resin, is inserted into a nasal vestibule (10), which, for example, is preferably positioned about 15 mm from the nares. Although the length of the arrangement axle to be inserted into the nares (8) varies from less to more than 15 mm, the length of the arrangement axle to be inserted into the nose must be adjusted in order to avoid causing excess stimulus.

An actual use of the embodiment will be explained below. The nose mask is characterized in that distinctive mask portions can be fitted on the arrangement axle (2) according to a functionally different uses including swimming, anti-pollinosis, and medical treatment such as stoppage of nose bleeding. For example, the nose mask to be used in a place where there is a lot of pollen and dust is configured so that a mask portion of filter layers, which is suitable for purifying the air, is fitted on the tip of the arrangement axle (2). In the case of the nose stopper for swimming, a rubber plate is fitted for a mask portion instead of the filters. In the case of the treatment nose mask for nose bleeding, a cellulose sponge on which a liquid drug is provided is used as the mask portion. The nose mask is characterized in that plural products can be placed in a container to be carried while outside, so that the mask can be used by fitting to a nose anytime the need arises. In the nose mask of the present invention, the arrangement axle is inserted from nares into the nasal vestibule, and corresponding to various uses such as for swimming, filtering pollen, dust, and malodor in the air, and treating physical conditions, various mask portions are prepared for the user to selectively use in the nose mask.

The arrangement axle has the braces to sandwich the nasal septum when the arrangement axle is inserted from the nares into the nasal vestibule. The length of the arrangement axle to be inserted is approximately 15 mm from the nares to avoid causing the problem that the mask is easily released by the inner pressure of sneezing, as the arrangement axle is not directly contacting an inner surface of mucous membrane of the nasal cavity so as not to cause sneezing by stimulus.

The nose mask is able to prevent a nose from running out by means of a mask portion with hygroscopicity. Some of the masks have mask portions which liquid, selected from a group of remedies for pollinosis, nose drug for stopping nose bleeding, and a perfume for de-odorizing is provided in advance. The drug or the perfume can be positioned in the nares and evaporated and absorbed so as to work effectively. The liquid impregnated in the mask portion is heated and evaporated by body temperature, and absorbed into the nasal cavity when breathing. The nose mask is also used as a sanitary tool for effective medical treatment.

The present invention provides the nose mask, which can be used in different cases including a case of going to a place with polluted air, a case of medical treatment, and a case where swimming is performed, without spoiling the appearance of a nose. 

1. A nose mask comprising: an axle including first and second end portions; a first mask portion removably mounted on the first end portion of the axle; a second mask portion removably mounted on the second portion of the axle, wherein the first and second end portions of the axle can be inserted from nares into a nasal vestibule to fix the mask portions to a nasal cavity of a user, each of the first and second mask portions including a cellulose sponge and a pair of perforated silicon rubber members arranged on opposite sides of the cellulose sponge; a first cap and a first stopper securing the first mask portion to the first end portion of the axle by sandwiching the first mask portion between the first cap and the first stopper; and a second cap and a second stopper securing the second mask portion to the second end portion of the axle by sandwiching the second mask portion between the second cap and the second stopper, wherein each of the silicon rubbers members have an outer diameter that is larger than an outer diameter of the corresponding cellulose sponge.
 2. The nose mask as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the first and second caps has a central passage receiving the corresponding end portion of the axle, and a first engagement portion securing a terminal end of the corresponding end portion of the axle, and a second engagement portion engaging an engagement member of the corresponding stopper in order to sandwich the cellulose sponge between the first and second perforated silicone rubber members.
 3. The nose mask as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the perforated silicon rubber members comprises a dome-shaped member.
 4. The nose mask as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the perforated silicon rubber members comprises a dome-shaped member, and the perforated silicon rubber members of each pair of perforated silicon rubber members are nested with the corresponding cellulose sponge interposed therebetween.
 5. The nose mask as claimed in claim 4, wherein in each of the first and second mask portions, the structure defining the central passage extends through the perforated silicon rubber members and the cellulose sponge.
 6. A nose mask comprising: an axle including first and second end portions; a first mask portion removably mounted on the first end portion of the axle; a second mask portion removably mounted on the second portion of the axle, wherein the first and second end portions of the axle can be inserted from nares into a nasal vestibule to fix the mask portions to a nasal cavity of a user, each of the first and second mask portions including a filter and a silicon rubber member arranged on a side of the filter so that the filter is disposed outwardly when the corresponding mask portion is positioned in the nasal vestibule; a first cap and a first stopper securing the first mask portion to the first end portion of the axle by sandwiching the first mask portion between the first cap and the first stopper; and a second cap and a second stopper securing the second mask portion to the second end portion of the axle by sandwiching the second mask portion between the second cap and the second stopper, wherein each of the silicon rubbers members have an outer diameter that is larger than an outer diameter of the corresponding filter.
 7. The nose mask as claimed in claim 6, wherein each of the silicon rubbers members is dome-shaped.
 8. The nose mask as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of the silicon rubber members is perforated. 